2-15-16 Perish

¹³ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: ¹⁴ Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

Isaiah 29:13-14 KJV

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For well we ought look back upon the day

When Israel descended into bane.

The temple may have stood on grand display

But all the wise men thought with half their brain.

America was founded under God

And while our hearts inclined our works were great,

But now our worshiping is largely flawed

And all our understanding obfuscate.

The fall of this Republic’s drawing nigh

Unless there is revival in the land.

‘Turn back unto the Lord!’ should be our cry,

‘One nation under God!’ should be our brand.

We’ve fallen into ruin, we’re on the brink.

If we don’t turn to God we’ll surely sink.

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REMEMBER: The Creator gave us our rights; apostasy will cause them to go away.

2-6-16 Advocate

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Proverbs 31:8 KJV

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Much more these days are those who have no voice;

They can’t defend themselves against their doom.

Defenseless, fragile souls without a choice,

A gift of God within their mother’s womb.

It doesn’t matter how they came to be,

These innocent and tender hosts of life.

They can’t be blamed for being; why do we

Think we’re a judge and jury with a knife?

Speak out for those who cannot vocalize!

If you are pregnant, let the baby live!

There is a woman somewhere who would prize

The chance to be a mother, love and give.

Your words can make a difference starting here.

A life depends on you, so persevere!

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REMEMBER: You are here because your mother chose life.

1-7-16 On Discipline

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 KJV

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With faith disciples of the Lord do live,

Yet recognize responsibilities,

To love their neighbor and to quick forgive,

To represent the Lord by all degrees.

In common conversation speak your mind,

But make sure that your mind’s the mind of Christ.

No foolish, idle, vulgar words in kind;

Just speak the gospel truth and be sufficed.

The mind is like a monkey in a cage;

If it’s not on a leash it’s Satan’s pet.

With scripture and in silent prayer your gauge,

The mind of Christ will be your best asset.

The Lord is your redeemer and your strength;

Your thoughts and words should be in His wavelength.

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REMEMBER: Keep your thoughts and words on Jesus; lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance, comfort and understanding.

11-16-15 The Word of God Goes Forth

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11 KJV

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As rain brings life to all that drink it in,

So does the Word of God to list’ning ear,

Descending from the heavens to begin

His reign of grace and love to all that hear.

The presence of the Lord did walk the earth,

And everywhere He went good fruit would grow.

The gospel of His being promised birth,

Eternal life abundantly to flow.

When God said “BE” the universe emerged,

And how much more His Word within your heart!

Now open up your mouth as Spirit urged

And let His Word go forth with love impart.

God loved the world so much He gave His Son;

His blood like rain brings life to everyone.

11-12-15 Lukewarm

¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15-16 KJV

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LUKEWARM

If you’re to be a Christian, do your best!

Don’t claim to follow Christ but wander ’round.

Your Bible gathers dust while you attest

To study scriptures daily so profound.

You wear a sliver cross around your neck,

But gossip, cuss and lie for all to see.

You smile at church and tithe with some bad check;

You blew it all on Friday’s gambling spree.

It would be better were you ignorant;

At least a heathen knows just where he stands.

If you’re to be a Christian let’s be blunt:

You’d better ask for help; your time’s at hand.

It’s never good to be a lukewarm saint;

He’ll spew you from His mouth without constraint.

10-10-15 Bittersweet

⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

¹¹ Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

James 3:8-11 KJV

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It’s easier for man to tame a rock

Than teach his tongue to stop its reckless ways.

A stone can learn to sit and stay and balk,

But not the tongue; it runs for days and days.

How many times have words jumped from your mouth

That you regret the instant it is done?

A friendly conversation’s headed south

With just an unplanned phrase or bawdy pun.

If you can hesitate to choose your words,

The tongue might find some worse to say instead.

Best cut it out and feed it to the birds

Or keep a clean, blank slate within your head.

The mind of Christ is possible to gain:

It takes complete surrender to attain.

9-25-15 The Perfect Example

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

²⁴ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

²⁵ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV

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There is no greater love than Christ has shown,

The perfect model for a perfect life,

Who chose to leave His bright celestial throne

To come and save His sheep through pain and strife.

He had no sin Himself but came for ours,

Enduring all the wrath of God and man,

Who could have freed Himself with awesome powers

But chose to bring salvation as His plan,

And all the torment that our Lord endured,

Reviled, threatened, beaten, crucified,

He did for you so you could be secured.

He loved you so He suffered, bled and died.

O friend, I know He thought of you that day

As He was hanging on the cross that way!

9-16-15 On Parables

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old

Psalm 78:2 KJV

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When Jesus spoke in parables He tried

To teach the ways of God in simple terms.

The truth laid bare was too much to abide;

They would not understand much less affirm.

If people of the dark not knowing light

Were told about the sun’s life giving rays,

They’d scratch their heads at words like ‘day’ and ‘bright’

But comprehend a story’s paraphrase.

The deeper truths can’t rest within the mind;

It cannot grasp in whole the Trinity.

The Holy Ghost reveals such things in kind;

It speaks straight to the heart to help us see.

Go out and share the gospel to the world.

A flag is understood when it’s unfurled.

8-25-15 Out of the Mouth

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;

but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Matthew 15:11 KJV

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Bad food and drink can make a person ill,

But he’s the only one confined to bed.

It’s what comes from the mouth more loathsome still

That will defile a man the most instead.

‘Tis sin that lays in wait within the heart

And moves on through the mind and then the lips

That truly stains the soul and tears apart;

Each word that’s laced with evil sin equips.

It takes a heart made fresh to stop the flood

Of all the wickedness men say and do.

The only way is through Christ’s cleansing blood

To purify the soul with life anew.

A man defiled will speak such wicked things.

The cure for this disease is Christ the King.

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sonnet #447

6-17-16 Shut Your Mouth

For he that will love life, and see good days,

let him refrain his tongue from evil,

and his lips that they speak no guile

1 Peter 3:10 KJV

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A lying tongue will come to no good thing,

For it will come around to face the liar.

If you would be like Christ your tongue should bring

The words the Holy Ghost set it afire.

Refrain from evil talk, it flogs the soul,

Removing you as witness of the Word.

The things you say affects you as a whole,

And who desires sickness? Now that’s absurd!

Beguiling words are fashioned to deceive;

If you can’t speak with love then shut your mouth.

Christ told you ‘Yea’ or ‘Nay’ but not to thieve;

If you must speak share Jesus North and South.

If you desire a life that’s full of love,

Tell others what the gospel is made of.

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sonnet #392